How Close To World War 3?

[supertone]

The ASEAN leadership summit was held last week. China has recently been involved in strong disputes over Naval shipping use of the South China Sea. The most aggressive action was against India about 2 or so months ago. About 7 other ASEAN member nations brought up the disputes during the conference which coincidently was attended by B.H. Obama.

China requested specifically not to bring up the subject; however, that went down like a lead balloon. In other interesting news... USA has recently stated that up to a batallion sized force of U.S. Marines will be stationed in the Northern Territory of Australia for 6 months of the year. The Chinese foreign ministry have stated two important retorts. 1) The American build up of forces in the S.W. Pacific region is tantamount to starting a second cold war in the region and 2) they have intercontinental missiles that can reach the base that the Marines will be stationed in.

On top of this Australia has just signed a treaty to export uranium to India (possibly China's largest military opposition in the region). India hasn't signed the anti-nuclear weapon treaties and can theoretically use the uranium to advance their nuclear weapon capabilities (this is a big maybe but a maybe nevertheless).

China is in an extremely strong economic period and has used this to enhance their military development programs. If America and the UN do eventually have a war with China and it's alllied nations, it had better be in the next 10 years, otherwise they would more than likely lose.

With all this talk of WWIII, it's important to note that international warfare has changed significantly over the past two decades. Wars are now entering a period where they are no longer state based. Idealogical battles are forecast to be the way of the future and as we all know, it isn't easy to differentiate people on their belief systems. I'm not worried about a WWIII as such; however, I am worried about nuclear warfare and the devastating effect that it could have on our planet.

Just sharing some of my thoughts, I apologise about the length of the response. Peace and love, Supertone.

[Michael The Disciple]

With all this talk of WWIII, it's important to note that international warfare has changed significantly over the past two decades. Wars are now entering a period where they are no longer state based.

On what do you base this statement?

[supertone]

My training at the Australian Defence College. I'm a current serving military member and have been for the best part of the last two decades.

If you have a look at the ongoing wars around the world (not just the ones with USA involvement) and it's pretty evident that the lines of war have been blurred and state boundaries are less of a factor than they have been.